The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-10-08
EOoT-GEAR FOR FARMERS.
Sensible Comments on a Matter OF Coz
siderable importance.

There is much complaint that boots
and shoes wear out rapidly-that they
are not nearly IS durable as they were
thirty years ago. Undoubtedly much
improperly tanned leather is used, and
machine manufacture is not as good as
the old Matchmaking. But the trouble
is more in the lessened care we give
our boots and shoes. When they cost
more we are more careful of them. The
fall season is q hard time on boots and
shoes. They are wet by the cold dew
in Tie morning, and then coated with
the earth fresh from the pillow d,Hing
the day. This hardens the leather,
destroying its elasticity. and it breaks.
Hauling the damp manure from the
compost heap also exposes the shoes to
hardening influences. The remedy is
oil. This fills the pores of the leather,
excluding moisture and earth. The
reward of oiling is not only increased
wear, but increased ease also. A good
application is one part of beef tallow to
two of neat s-foot oil. Warm and mix
thoroughly. Much that is sold as neat s.
foot oil is not this oil. Buy only of a
responsible dealer and be prepared to
pay good price.
The efficacy of oiling depends much
upon the manner. The leather must
be clean. Scrape and brush it well,
and then wash it with a wet cloth.
Apply the oil before the leather becomes
quite dry. If the soles are pegged on,
be careful to get the oil well into the
crevice between the soles and the uppers.
The oil will prevent the pegs from
absorbing moisture and then shrinking,
allowing the uppers to pull loose; and
it is those parts of the uppers which
are fastened to the sole that are most
often damp and will soonest rot and
break. unless oiled. But if the soles
are sewed on, apply oil lightly to
the sewed portions. The thread is
not benefited by the oil. For farm
wear, pegged-on soles are the best.
Apply the oil warm, but not so warm
as to be uncomfortable to the hand. 1t
is well to expose the leather to a gentle
heat; but depend on rubbing, not on
heat, to get the oil into the pores of the
leather By rubbing the leather well
you not only fill the pores, but to a
certain extent close their openings.
Farmers usually select shoes or boots
made of leather that is too coarse.
Cow-hide does not make the most dur.
able boot or shoe for farm wear. Il
will crack and break sooner than a
lighter, more pliable leather would
wear through; and the latter would be
easier and lighter-e matter of no
small moment to the man who must
walk as much as the farmer. The most
durable shoe or boot for farm wear is
made of heavy calf skin leather. Il
properly oiled, it will not crack OF
break. Paste is used to hide pool
leather. Leather that has large, open
pores does not wear well and is pool
protection from wet or cold. Paste
closes these open pores and gives the
surface nice polish. Leather covered
with paste had better be passed by; So
too, leather that stretches easily. The
more compact and close leather is, the
better it is for boot or shoe The sur
face of such leather is always smooth
not rough and chafed; and such leather
keeps the feet dry and warm. Poor
stock is usually set off with fancy
leather and gew-gaws, to take atten
ton from the bad quality of the mair
stuff. A plain. unpublished shoe Of
boot is so because it has real meri
enough to sell it readily.
Shoes, being lighter than boots, are
preferable for blowing and for summe
wear, when they are SO made as to eX
clude the dirt. l have yet to see
buckled shoe that would keep out tn,
dirt, that was easy on the foot, and re
tanned a proper shape. A buttoneC
shoe is not subject to these objections
but the buttons are apt to ne torn off
think laced shoe the best, as it cal
be brought as close about the instel
and ankle as may be desired, and it
shape is we'll retained. For strings us,
oiled buckskin. Have low, broad heel
on boot or shoe. 1t is important tina
the stiffening in the heels be good; SCI
that it is firm when you purchase. 4
shoe or boot moderately tight across thu
toes and half an inch longer than tn,
foot, is easier and better for the foo
than a short, broad shoe, though tn
general notion is to the contrary.
John ~. StdhI, IN Country Gentleman